Kartel co-convict, Kahira Jones, goes on trial for 2009 shooting

Kahira Jones, one of three men convicted with Adija ‘Vybz Kartel’ Palmer for the 2011 beating death of Clive ‘Lizard’ Williams, is on trial again, this time for the 2009 shooting of a man - Chevallo Rodney – in Portmore, St Catherine.

The trial got under way in the Corporate Area Gun Court on Monday under Section 31(D)A of the Evidence Act because Rodney, who survived the 2009 shooting, was murdered two years ago.

The case is being presided over by High Court Judge Lisa Palmer Hamilton and prosecuted by Crown Counsel Hodine Williams. The investigating officer is Jason McKay of the St Catherine South Police Division.

The prosecution has alleged that on the morning of December 15, 2009, Rodney was in his backyard at home in Waterford, St Catherine, when he was approached by Jones, who was known to him.

Jones allegedly asked Rodney for water before attacking Rodney with a gun. During a struggle that ensued between the two men, Rodney was shot twice.

Jones was subsequently charged with the shooting and was on bail for the alleged offence when he was implicated in the killing of ‘Lizard’ on August 16, 2011, along with ‘Vybz Kartel’, Shawn ‘Shawn Storm’ Campbell and Andre St John.

All four men were convicted in April 2014 and handed mandatory life sentences after a 65-day trial that was said to have been the longest in Jamaica’s history.